How to Prevent Cheating in Online Learning
Due to the pandemic, various industries have responded by changing their practices to meet the demands of the situation while continuing to provide essential services. This also applies to the education sector, which is now choosing blended learning and home-based learning. However, home-based learning is not without its doubts and possible problems. The growing likelihood and frequency of student cheating during home-based learning is one of the most frequently brought-up concerns.
It’s a widely recognized fact that students occasionally have a tendency to cheat. Classrooms were displaying this even prior to the outbreak. However, it may even become more common with remote learning. As a result, teachers may find it more difficult to stop these unethical practices.
Table of Contents
Why do students cheat during online learning?
Many would think that there would be a means to reduce student cheating with the change from traditional classroom settings to virtual ones. That isn’t always the case, though. While it is impossible for students to see another student’s exam answers, there is a good possibility that they will check online. Sometimes they can even invite a friend or relative to take the test in their place.
Additionally, there are other explanations for why students might cheat in class. It’s not a must that they wish to cause trouble and endanger their education. Some students would cheat because they are too overwhelmed by the amount of schoolwork they have to complete or because they perceive the material to be too challenging. In situations such as these, it is preferable to advise parents to hire tutors to come to their homes to assist their kids with schoolwork. Home tutors receive specialized training to support students who are having difficulty studying by meeting their educational demands. In addition, they offer extra support and can even assist students in developing efficient examination strategies.
How to prevent cheating during online learning?
While it can be challenging for teachers to fully eliminate cheating during online classes, there are also many ways for them to do this. Here is a list of the tips and strategies they can use to help in minimizing or preventing cheating during online learning and exams.
1. Encourage critical thinking
Even though multiple-choice and identification questions are now commonplace in tests, it can be difficult to ensure that students won’t cheat because the solutions are readily available online or in their study materials. In light of this, it may be a good idea to steer clear of questions that just present theoretical information and instead choose a strategy that encourages students to think critically and creatively.
It will be simpler for the teacher to assess the student’s true comprehension and skill levels—rather than just their knowledge—if they are required to reflect on and evaluate the theories and concepts they are learning. Therefore, giving students assignments that push their creative boundaries and require them to apply critical thinking techniques will help them grow as individuals and will ultimately result in improved academic performance.
Note that this idea does not imply the complete elimination of identification questions, fill-in-the-blank questions, or multiple-choice questions. Less of these kinds of exam questions, however, may prevent or minimize cheating, and teachers and tutors will also be able to gauge how well a student has retained the material.
2. Apply a positive learning culture
Reducing student cheating is another benefit of fostering a supportive learning environment whether in the classroom or in a home tuition setting. Teachers should always strive to instill in their students the virtues of integrity and honor, and they can aid in this process by fostering a healthy classroom environment. Teachers should begin by discussing cheating openly and without stigmatizing it. The teacher may also talk about the repercussions of cheating, both within the classroom and in terms of the student’s future. It is important to educate students on the negative effects of cheating, which ultimately work against them rather than to their advantage.
Engaging in a conversation with students about cheating would also encourage them to act honorably and abstain from it. As a result, educators should stress to students that tests are not intended to be a burden or a way to assign grades, but rather to help improve the quality of education by confirming what they have understood and what they may need to review.
As soon as students begin to grasp this concept, they can become less interested in using strategies to cheat and more open to learning resources that are created in response to their exam results. There is no assurance that they won’t cheat at all, though, even if they do get the sentiment. Therefore, it is still preferable to develop a proper and upbeat learning atmosphere.
3. Set strict rules
As we’ve already discussed, teachers cannot be certain that their students would not cheat for any reason, much as they would want to have total faith in them. Therefore, in order to regulate student behavior during the online learning process, teachers might also impose rigorous regulations. Teachers should periodically remind students about the risks and repercussions of cheating, especially when the class is still studying for the exam, since they may be aware of a code of conduct from their own schools.
Students need to understand the repercussions that come with cheating and that they will get punished eventually for any cheating or cheating attempts. Not to mention, educators have a responsibility to properly apply and uphold the regulations. Teachers should constantly enforce the standards they have established. Establishing tough guidelines and following them through are two different things. Students may be more likely to disregard rules and continue breaking them on a regular basis if they witness their teachers being lenient with the guidelines they have established.
4. Use technology to your advantage
Technology should be used as an advantage during online learning. Teachers wouldn’t be sure that when giving out essay homework, students aren’t using AI writing services or when students look up answers for their exams using a search engine. Despite knowing and understanding the consequences of cheating, many students may still do it. Here are some examples of what teachers can do.
• Restrict the number of tabs or windows they can open
As previously stated, students can still use a search engine or even consult their notes in a separate tab or window to find the answers to their exam questions. Nonetheless, educators possess instruments to deter individuals from utilizing an excessive number of tabs or windows while taking tests. Additionally, there are technologies that, upon closing or switching tabs or windows, will render their responses invalid. This will guarantee that their attention is solely on their exam.
• Open cameras during tests
Teachers can limit how many windows or tabs students can open, but they may still have access to other devices. In this case, asking them to turn on their cameras can be helpful. When students have their cameras turned on during a test, educators can detect any attempts to cheat. It also enables the teacher to verify that the student, and not another person, is taking the exam.
• Give different sets of questions
Students emailing each other answers to problems they have already completed is another way for them to cheat. Teachers may decide to give students sets of the same questions in alternative orders to lessen the likelihood that this will happen.
Conclusion
It takes time to completely eradicate cheating. Both the teachers and students may experience difficulties as a result. On the other hand, it’s important to assist them in realizing that they will ultimately suffer the repercussions of their conduct rather than gain anything from cheating. Additionally, there are lots of ways for you as educators to stop cheating in online courses. In order to prevent situations such as these, technological tools combined with a personalized approach can assist students in comprehending lessons without resorting to cheating.
Carelle
Carelle is a teacher who has been through the ups and downs of the teacher and learner life. She wishes for every learner to gain educational satisfaction that will help embody the people they want to be in the future.
